Latest Headlines

The recent closure of the Piccadilly Cinema may not signal the final curtain for the historic theatre, with its owners contemplating whether to reopen the art deco building as an entertainment venue.

A slowdown in mining investment has many companies cutting costs, but this hasn't stopped WA Skills Training owner Bob Butson from making a $5 million investment in new premises in Welshpool.

Cassini Resources has resolved a share sale agreement to acquire 75 per cent of Crossbow Resources, the 100 per cent owner of the West Arunta X17 project in the Gibson Desert.

Jobs advertised on the internet and in newspapers fell for the second consecutive month, and there are no clear signs of the labour market bouncing back in the coming months.

Shares in Perth-based gold mining junior Minera Gold have risen by 25 per cent after the company signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with a private Peruvian entity to utilise a 200 tonne-per-day CIP gold circuit for its Torrecillas gold project in Peru.

Perth-based oil and gas explorer Liquefied Natural Gas has announced plans to raise $15.3 million through a share placement as it looks to advance its Magnolia LNG project in the United States.

Gindalbie Metals has agreed to sell its Shine hematite iron prospect to Mount Gibson Iron for $15 million as it focuses attention on bringing its Karara magnetite project to full production.

Australian shares have lost ground after insurer QBE flagged that it would post a $250 million loss for calendar 2013, prompting shocked investors to wipe more than $4 billion from the value of one of the ASX's 20 biggest companies.

The Australian share market is slightly lower as investors put aside good US jobs figures and strong Chinese trade data and focus on a shock profit warning from insurer QBE.

Labor needs to have a serious discussion about its fiscal failings if it is to attract new members.

From Saturday, December 7:

Gold futures have eased as investors try to determine what impact the continued gains in US hiring will have on the timing of a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than three-quarters of a US cent after surprisingly strong Chinese trade data and good US jobs figures.

Local promoter Sunset Events' reputation for delivering quality events has won the Fremantle company its first interstate gig.

Karratha is undergoing a transition as more families move to town, attracted by the improved infrastructure and new housing developments.

Electoral commissioner Ed Killesteyn is under pressure to quit after an inquiry found serious flaws in the Western Australian Senate election count, which could lead to $13 million being spent on a fresh poll.

The state government has formalised plans for Chinese group Shanghai Zhongfu to develop thousands of hectares of irrigated land in the Kimberley, more than a year after naming the company as its preferred proponent for the land.

The Australian share market has closed lower as financial stocks dragged down the bourse ahead of the release of important jobs numbers in the US.

Those who predicted the death of traditional media may have cast their votes too early.

Perth-based Cedar Woods Properties has purchased a 6.5 hectare infill site in Melbourne's south east for $23.5 million.

The days of big shopper docket fuel savings are over after Coles and Woolworths agreed to limit discounts to four cents a litre.

Triton Minerals has raised $1.6 million to fund its exploration activities at the Balama North graphite project in Mozambique.

The WA Nationals will retain the key regional development portfolio under a minor cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of Brendon Grylls.

Perth-based oil explorer Oilex has announced it has secured a $13.5 million three year equity financing facility with UK-based Darwin Strategic, for drilling at its Cambay onshore oil joint venture project in Gujarat, India.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has rejected spending more public money to keep Holden operating in Australia, amid reports the car maker's American parent company General Motors wants to close Australian operations by 2016.

The Australian market has opened lower, continuing a trend down since October with investors taking profits.

Gold prices have fallen after upbeat US economic data supported investor expectations for a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus.

US stocks have declined again after surprisingly good US economic growth in the third quarter raised expectations the Federal Reserve will hasten a plan to scale back aggressive monetary stimulus.

The Australian dollar is firmer as traders take a sceptical view of the fastest US economic growth pace in almost two years.

Inflation pressures remain weak in developed economies, contrary to expectations after a prolonged period of quantitative easing.

Karratha's first small bar owner, Bart Parsons, has realised his dream of opening among the traditional pubs and hotels in the northern town, but it has come with a costly sting in the tail.

Global chemical manufacturer Rockwood Holdings is set to acquire a 49 per cent stake in Perth-based Talison Lithium, just less than a year after its proposed $700 million takeover bid for the miner collapsed.